After reading a post of Dorothy´s, I thought this would be appropriate for those who are aficionados ( enthusiasts or fans ) of garbanzo beans ( chickpeas ), a typical traditional lunch in Madrid and the Las Sierras ( hill country ) ...

12 ounces or 350 grams of chickpeas ( soaked overnight in water and salt to taste )

250 grams of Italian or Spanish sausage

90 grams of salted diced pork ( tocino ) or ham hock

1 medium onion

2 fl. oz. / 60 ml. olive oil extra virgin

3 garlic cloves chopped

3 ripe tomatoes chopped, seeded and peeled

1 tblsp. chopped fresh herbs of choice ( Provence Mixture )

salt and freshly ground blk pepper to taste

1 tsp sweet paprika ( La Vera Pimentón if possible )

12 saffron threads ( optional and if possible or a sprinkle pinch of ground powdered )

1) soak the beans overnight in salted water ( do not use canned or jar beans )

2) rinse beans in cold water and drain after having spent a night in pot

3) in a heavy bottomed saucepan, sauté the salt pork

4) add the onion and garlic for a few minutes until onion golden and garlic tender

5) then add the beans and the whole sausages

6) add herbs and seasonings with mineral water to cover ( by about 1 1/ 2 inches or 4 cm. )

RED WINE: Highly suggested if you can purchase is: a 6 year old Ribera del Duero, behaving and sipping more like a Reserva than its 2006 Crianza with a long finish in its oak aged genre, and is called Torremorón 2006 Crianza by winery of same name. Hot and crusty bread for dipping.

A body warmer lunch on a cold nasty grey day.

For those in Europe or Africa: If you have trouble finding, where to buy Garbanzos online: